Coach Ray McCallum said senior center Ugochukwu Njoku, above, has progressed. 'I think you'll see him in the top 10 in blocked shots in the Horizon League,' McCallum said. / Andre J. Jackson/DFP

Written by

Detroit Free Press Sports Writer

UDM at a glance

Last season: 20-13, 12-4, Horizon League; lost in first-round of NIT at Arizona State. Key players: F Juwan Howard Jr., 6-feet-6, junior; F Evan Bruinsma, 6-8, senior; G/F Anton Wilson, 6-5, sophomore; G Carlton Brundidge, 6-3, sophomore. Opener: At South Alabama, 7 p.m. Friday. Schedule highlights: Nov. 14 at Connecticut, Nov. 19 at James Madison, Dec. 14 at North Carolina State, Jan. 11 vs. Oakland U., Feb. 14 at Oakland U. Overview: The Titans are young and inexperienced everywhere but at forward, where Howard and Bruinsma must have great seasons for the Titans to be competitive in the Horizon League. Wilson has a chance to be a very good player because he’s athletic and gaining confidence. The key for the Titans is to develop some size inside, which means senior Ugochukwu Njoku or senior Olumide Solanke must show great improvement between now and the start of the Horizon season. Picked to finish next to last in league play, UDM figures to have a tough year. Coach Ray McCallum is in the final year of his contract.

However, the senior big men from Nigeria still face plenty of questions on the court. If they could somehow become solid rebounders and shot-blockers and average a combined 15 points and 10 rebounds, UDM would have a decent chance to be competitive in what should be a tough Horizon League.

“Olumide is going to be a shot-blocker and physical player,” coach Ray McCallum said. “Njoku, I think you’re going to see him much improved. I think you’ll see him in the top 10 in blocked shots in the Horizon League.’’

In the preseason poll, the Titans were picked to finish next to last.

With Nick Minnerath (Spain), Doug Anderson (NBA Development League), Ray McCallum (Sacramento Kings), Jason Calliste (Oregon) and P.J. Boutte (IUPUI) gone because of graduating, transferring and entering the NBA draft, McCallum has a challenging season ahead of him after making the NCAA tournament two season ago and losing at Arizona State in the first round of the NIT last season.

“I think our big guys have gotten better,’’ said senior Evan Bruinsma, the only player left who played in the Horizon League championship game two years ago. “They didn’t really know what to expect last year coming from junior college. They’ve worked on their games.

“As a senior, it’s my job to be vocal and help lead by example. It’s a challenge I’m ready for. I’ve won championships as a high school player, and I’ve won a championship here.’’

In the two exhibition games — Lawrence Tech and Concordia — Njoku had a combined 16 points and 11 rebounds while Solanke contributed four rebounds and two points.

Expect the Titans to have a small lineup with the 6-8 Bruinsma teaming with 6-6 junior Juwan Howard Jr. and Njoku or 6-8 Jermaine Lippert across the front line. Howard is healthy after suffering a hip injury late in the season and losing his starting spot to Bruinsma. Howard scored 28 points in the exhibition victory over Lawrence Tech and added 23 against Concordia.

(Page 2 of 2)

“It was heartbreaking because you work all summer for the season, and to end the season with an injury hurt me from the standpoint of how much work I put it,” Howard said. “I love being a leader, telling the guys what to do. Actually, Evan and I being in the trenches and being here when we won a championship, it’s our job to make sure this program is always at a championship level. If we don’t, it has been a disappointing season.’’

After transferring from Michigan, redshirt sophomore Carlton Brundidge is eligible, but he is in a fight at starting point guard with freshmen Jarod Williams and Matthew Grant, unless McCallum moves him to shooting guard. Brundidge is a banger who likes to take the ball inside more than shooting jump shots.

“It has been a long wait, and I can’t wait for the season to get started,” Brundidge said. “I think I learned a lot sitting and watching Ray. We’ve got Patrick (Owenu) here, and we’ve been through a lot of wars together in high school.’’

Owenu is a transfer from Highland Community College, who, along with Brundidge, helped Southfield to two state Final Four appearances.

Lippert, a senior forward with some experience, is a candidate to start, and 6-5 sophomore Anton Wilson, who is athletic and can score, will see a lot of time.

“Anton had a great summer,” McCallum said. “He has a chance to be a really good player for us. I think our big guys have gotten better. Evan and Juwan have been here, and they know what it takes.

“We have guys within the program who are going to step up and produce. We have a senior group that is a hardworking group. A group of guys you probably haven’t talked about or written about a lot, but have been in the program.”